Andrews County, TX — September 20, 2025, Jahir Varela was injured due to a truck accident at about 6:00 a.m. along State Highway 176.

According to authorities, 20-year-old Jahir Varela was traveling in a northwest bound Chevrolet Tahoe on Eunice Highway at the Farm to Market 181 intersection when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a southeast bound Peterbilt 18-wheeler attempted a turn at an apparently unsafe time; a collision consequently occurred between the truck and the Tahoe. Varela reportedly sustained serious injuries over the course of the accident. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a crash happens because a truck attempts a turn at the wrong time, the immediate question is simple: why did the driver think it was safe to turn? That single decision often makes the difference between an ordinary traffic maneuver and a devastating collision.

At this point, we don’t know what the truck driver saw—or failed to see—before pulling into the intersection. Was the Tahoe visible from a reasonable distance? Were there sightline issues at the intersection? Did the truck driver misjudge the Tahoe’s speed, or was he distracted by something inside the cab? Each of those possibilities points to a very different chain of responsibility.

This is where hard evidence matters most. Engine control module data can establish the truck’s speed and throttle inputs leading up to the turn. In-cab cameras, if present, may reveal whether the driver even looked before moving. Cell phone records can confirm or rule out distraction. Without those pieces of the puzzle, no one can say with confidence whether this was simple misjudgment or outright negligence.

Company practices also deserve scrutiny. Was the driver adequately trained to handle complex intersections? Did he face scheduling pressure that might have encouraged him to take chances rather than wait for a clear opening? I’ve worked on cases where trucking companies essentially built risk into the job by rewarding speed over safety. In those instances, the company’s role was just as important as the driver’s.

Right now, all we can say is that an unsafe turn was made, and someone was badly hurt because of it. But the full picture—whether this was preventable and who should be held accountable—will only emerge once investigators dig into the evidence behind that fateful decision.

Key Takeaways:

• The core issue is why the truck driver believed it was safe to turn when it wasn’t.
• Visibility, judgment, distraction, or fatigue could all be factors, but evidence is needed to confirm.
• Black box data, in-cab cameras, and phone records are key to determining what the driver was doing at the time.
• Company policies and training may play a role if the driver was pressured or inadequately prepared.
• A thorough investigation is the only way to separate error from negligence and identify all responsible parties.